To create the top 20 for our 25th annual rankings, Fortune and its survey partners at Hay Group asked 3,322 executives, directors, and securities analysts to select the 10
companies they admire most. Having fresh ideas and being green are among the qualities that distinguish this year's winners.

5 of 20

Southwest Airlines

Top 20 Rank: 5

Rank among: Airlines: 2

Despite the turbulent fuel prices of the past several months, Southwest's 2006 earnings soared 38%, to $587 million. It was the airline's 34th straight year of
profitability.